Mocking Trials

(2Ti 3:12 KJV)  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

(Proverbs 17 also read)

This is a verse that can be very scary.  At best it is disturbing.  It seems to be a guarantee that living a serious Christian life will get us “persecuted” (1377).  At times I look at the blessings in my life and it makes me wonder.

What is not stated here is the frequency and severity of the persecution.  We tend to stereotype it into lion food and the Inquisition.  While there is a witness to that I think it is more on the level of being mocked or shunned socially.  The purpose of the persecution from the Devil’s point of view is to drive a wedge between us and God.  If he can do that subtly without us pushing back then he can move us toward hell and tarnish the image of God in the pagan mind.

So?  Don’t go looking for persecution so you can get it out of the way.  Be ready to be mocked or pressured to compromise.  That is much more common.  Spend enough time with the Lord to let it run off like you were a wet duck.